Have you heard of the Bombina bombina?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (388011)
Rockingham, Australia
August 8, 2026 8:42am CST
I heard about the following on a quiz night a few nights ago. There are some animals whose scientific binomial name repeats the same word. This is also known as a tautonym.
I’ll give the common name first then the scientific name:
American bison (Bison bison)
Black rat (Rattus rattus)
Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)
Red-footed booby (Sula sula)
Horned viper (Cerastes cerastes)
Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina)
Wolverine (Gulo gulo).
I particularly like the Bombina bombina. It sounds like a dance of some sort.
The photo is mine.
12 people like this
12 responses
@AliCanary (4929)
•
8 Aug
I knew about Bison bison and Rattus rattus (that one's my favorite), but I am learning these new ones today! Gulo gulo sounds like an African tropical disease. "Oh no, he has been stricken with gulo gulo fever!"
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4929)
•
9 Aug
@JudyEv we were talking about Eurogames, and that reminds me, there's one called Rattus. I haven't played it, but I've seen it on my friend's shelf.
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@luisadannointed (12846)
• Philippines
9 Aug
Thanks for the info.
Were you the one who took the picture? That's so cool and I feel that you are so brave.
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@luisadannointed (12846)
• Philippines
10 Aug
@JudyEv I see! Just like when you are visiting in Safari they also have vehicles.
That's so cool Judy! You really have lots of adventure. God bless. I hope I can travel our own country and find the best cafe ever.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (178231)
• United States
8 Aug
I immediately thought of the binomial ho mo sapiens sapiens, although bombina bombina is more fun to say, I admit. 
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (100746)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Aug
How ver strange I have never even heard of a fire-belied toad,
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@RasmaSandra (100746)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Aug
@JudyEv found him online let me introduce him to you,
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@JudyEv (388011)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Aug
@RasmaSandra Aww. So cute! And the blue-booted whatever was very cute too. I wonder if there are other strange feet colours. 
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@Deepizzaguy (125181)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
8 Aug
First time I have ever heard of a tautonym.
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@snowy22315 (212788)
• United States
8 Aug
I will add it to my quiz knowledge! Thanks
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@teamfreak16 (46506)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Aug
Gorilla gorilla sounds appropriate for some reason.
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@Ineeddentures (46504)
•
8 Aug
I knew a girl once called Lovu lovu
Her second name was longtime
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